Chapter 54 - Allow father to say goodbye

"Master, are we going back to the empire?" Xue Kai asked." No. I am no longer a prince. The empire is no longer my home. I am only going to take a stroll round the world," Tai Jian said as he held his daughter in his arms. He did not plan on going back to where he had been before. There was nothing to go back to. After three years Tai Jian was sure that a lot of changes had taken place in the capital and the Qin family had probably given up on the throne unless his father did something behind the scenes but even he wasn't sure. He did not bother thinking about all this. He did not even dye his hair." Xue Kai,I am going on a journey with no destination. I have long wished to be a traveller so I am finally going to fulfill this wish of mine and I am taking my daughter with me. What do you wish to do?" Tai Jian asked. Xue Kai was still young and he was very talented so Tai Jian did not want to watch him follow him any longer as there was nothing that he could offer him." Are you chasing me away?" Xue Kai asked." The road ahead is full of uncertainties and I don't have a destination in mind. I have nothing to offer you," Tai Jian said." I don't ask for anything. Just let me follow you till the end," Xue Kai requested. Tai Jian sighed at this and did not bother trying to convince him to change his mind as he knew that he would never change his mind. Tai Jian no longer tried convincing him. He took a step forward and he was already more than ten miles away. Xue Kai followed closely behind him. Tai Jian had chosen to sever all relationships with the world and live his remaining years with his daughter. Just like that the trio started a journey across the continent miving from one place to another. Tai Jian stopped practicing martial arts and instead practised medical skills. He travelled the continent as a doctor and made a name for himself. In the years that followed he was nicknamed the magic hand by many as he had healed a lot of people. Tai Jian never left behind his real name. After three years very few people remembered the name of the famous war god of Qin state and his wife, the princess of the heaven battling state. Ten years passed by in the blink of an eye. Tai Jian,s daughter Qin Tie Ling was now a grown up. She was now ten years old and had been accompanying her father for all these years. Tai Jian still appeared to be young even after all these years apart from the fact that time had started to take a toll on him. He had disabled his martial arts and no longer pursued the path of killing. He had taught his daughter martial arts since young so that she could protect herself when he was no longer around. Today just happened to be Tie Hongchen's death anniversary." Master, where is our next stop?" Xue Kai asked. In these ten years Xue Kai had finally found a destination and Tai Jian was happy. He had found a loving wife and was now a father of three. Tai Jian was happy. Even after a decade Tai Jian had still not moved on and was determined to remain single until death. He had met many people along the way in his journey across the continent. He had seen all kinds of beautiful women. Ones that could topple cities but never even once had he stared at them. He only had his daughter in his eyes during these years. He had taught his daughter his medical skills and she had a good aptitude when it came to learning. She was able to easily learn and comprehend martial arts." Same as always," Tai Jian said as he took a step. He carried his daughter on his back since she was still young and could not keep up with his speed. Tai Jian's movement skills had indeed improved considerably as he could now cover a distance of a hundred miles in just but a step. They were already near Tai Jian's mansion. Cue Kai had realised that during these years whenever Tie Hongchen's death anniversary was nearing, Tai Jian would always happen to be near their mansion. He never forgot to visit her during these years and this year was no different. Although Tai Jian still seemed healthy only he knew that what was to come would soon come. He was already prepared. After they arrived at the mansion, Tai Jian and his daughter entered the room while Xue Kai remained outside as always. Tai Jian and his daughter lit candles and poured libations before his Qin Tie Ling left the mansion." Hong'er, our kid has grown up. I hope you are fine wherever you are. I have missed you this year. Wait for me. My time is soon coming. Our daughter has grown up and is now able. I will be taking her to the medicine valley so as to train her as a healer. After that I will come and accompany you in the netherworld as I promised," Tai Jian said. He then left behind a rose below Toe Hongchen's coffin." Xue Kai, it is time we part. You have been with me for ten years. You have always been there for me but it is time you also choose your own path. You now have a family that needs you. My old bones are now accustomed to being lonely so it is better for you to leave," Tai Jian said after which he turned around and took his daughter and left. Xue Kai had no chance of catching up to him as he knew that Tai Jian would not allow him. He stood in a daze rooted to the ground. He only came back to his senses after a few minutes had passed. He bowed towards the direction where Tai Jian had left before he also left. As Tai Jian had said, he now had a family and could no longer be as willful as before. He had to make a choice. As Tai Jian has said, he took Tie Ling and left her with a friend in the medicine valley. Although Tie Ling was young at that time she could still comprehend that that might have been the last meeting between her and her father. She had inherited her father's medical skills and could probably surpass him in the future so how could she not see that her father's life vein had already been cut off and he was on his last leg. Her father had probably been holding on for so long for her sake. He wanted to see his daughter growing up but it seems fate had different plans. As Tai Jian turned to leave, Tie Ling hugged him from behind. At that moment Tai Jian's eyes became moist. There was probably nothing worst in this world than saying goodbye especially when knowing that this goodbye might be forever. Tai Jian did not turn around." Princess, father is leaving first. Remember to come to your mother's grave every year and pay your respects to your mother. Allow father to say goodbye," Tai Jian said as he removed his daughter's hands.